NEWTOWN -- As with so many worthy causes, this one chose Marc Kenney and not the other way around.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm not sure which," Newtown's girls soccer coach said by phone Wednesday. "There's a plan in there somewhere."

Life, of course, has a way of interfering with plans, which is why Kenney and his wife, Kateri, weren't all that surprised when their second son, just like their first son, scoffed at that old nine-month plan and arrived much sooner 10 months ago.

Ryan Francis Kenney was born Dec. 8, 2011, nearly four months ahead of his due date, March 24. He weighed two pounds. Among many frightening ailments, Ryan was twice stricken with a near-fatal lung condition. He dropped to a pound-and-a-half. A regulation soccer ball weighs nearly the same.

"It was awful," said Kenney, who, along with Kateri, teaches at the high school. "He was born in Waterbury and then they brought him to the UConn Medical Center in Farmington. (Kateri) was still in Waterbury. Those were rough days."

Thursday was a good day. A long day, but one of many normal, healthy days now routinely had by the Kenney's. Kateri, Ryan and Jordan, 3, who weighed four pounds when he was born three weeks premature, were all home on this brisk night, while Marc's Nighthawks played Brookfield at Blue & Gold Stadium in a match to benefit the March of Dimes foundation.

The national nonprofit has its Connecticut office in the same hospital where Ryan was sent. A relationship, however unwelcome its circumstances, was forged.

"They were outstanding helping us through some miserable times," Kenney said.

As was the Kenney's extended family on Berkshire Lane.

"This place has been great," Kenney said. "If nothing else, I know that my wife and I work and teach in the right place."

Among the first calls Kenney placed after Ryan's birth were to his captains, who spread the word to the rest of the team, and so began a school-wide movement. The girls soccer team gave a youth clinic as a fundraiser for their coach. Spring teams hosted similar March of Dimes events. Thursday night's game was accompanied by a March of Dimes bake sale.

The cause didn't just choose the Kenney's. It chose Newtown.

"It was really nice how the whole school came together," said senior captain Amy Martin. "We all love him a lot."

Still, there was the matter of making Thursday really special. Unbeaten through their first 10 games, the Nighthawks look like the team to beat in the South-West Conference. Through a scoreless half Thursday, they looked like something else.

"It was an emotional night," Kenney said. "I think we came out in the first half and played like it was emotional. We were not good."

A well-placed Martin through-ball in the 64th minute, followed by a clean rip from Sarah Lynch, finally gave the Newtown bench a reason to erupt. Bridget Power set off another hugfest in the 75th minute, driving in a second goal from 25 yards out.

"To win the game after the half we had," Kenney said, his purple March of Dimes polo covered by a pullover, "I just told them that's the biggest win of the year."